ESPN 1440 to Air the First Ever Live Radio Broadcast of a Mixed Martial Arts Event in the U.S.

By Joe Pietaro
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Updated: September 10, 2009

Texas based Shark Fight Promotions and ESPN 1440 will make history on September 12^th when Shark Fight 6 – Stars & Stripes is broadcast live on the radio. The airing of Shark Fight 6 on ESPN 1440 will be cemented in history as the first ever live radio broadcast of a mixed martial arts event in the Unites States. ESPN 1440 will air Shark Fight 6 in its entirety. Executives at Shark Fight Promotions strategically chose ESPN 1440 and Warren McCarty, both industry leaders in the sports media arena, to take part in this historic event.

According to Jim Larsen, President of Shark Fight Promotions, “Words cannot express how excited we are to partner with ESPN 1440 for the first ever live radio broadcast of a mixed martial arts event. It is truly a significant milestone for MMA. ESPN is a worldwide leader in sports and live event coverage. Therefore we feel that ESPN 1440, as an ESPN affiliate, is the ideal choice for such a significant broadcast. We are also very excited that Warren McCarty, founder of ESPN 1440’s top rated MPIF show, will be the radio host for Shark Fight 6. Airing the event live on ESPN 1440 will expose this remarkable sport to a much broader audience.”

Warren McCarty, who also covers MMA for the Amarillo Globe News, will be broadcasting the Shark Fight 6 event live from the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum, a 7,000 seat premier venue located in downtown Amarillo. According to McCarty, his show, MPIF, has a very significant dual meaning. MPIF stands for both “My Passion is Football” and “My Passion is Fighting”, as the radio show routinely features A-list NFL athletes, as well as top ranked Mixed Martial Arts fighters. MPIF is currently the highest rated regional talk show between Dallas and Denver, positioned even higher than the popular Jim Rome Show.

Warren McCarty, Founder and Host of MPIF stated, “It is truly an honor to be selected for this historic broadcast. Radio brought boxing to the masses, and I believe that this exposure to a new audience will shine a new spotlight on MMA as the fastest-growing spectator sport in this country. ESPN Radio is the king of live radio sports coverage, therefore airing the first ever radio broadcast of an MMA event in the U.S. on an ESPN affiliated station is a perfect choice. ”

Warren went on to say, “Shark Fight Promotions is a premiere fight promotion company, and their rapid ascension in the world of MMA has been amazing to observe. This is an outstanding fight card, headlined by two time UFC Champion Don Frye and former EliteXC heavy hitter, Dave Herman. The diversity amongst the fighters in terms of their skill sets and disciplines is both exciting and intriguing.”

Shark Fight 6 – Stars & Stripes Official Fight Card:

Don “The Predator” Frye vs. Dave “Pee Wee” Herman
Nissan Osterneck vs. Gerald “Hurricane” Harris
Phil Cardella vs. Ran Weathers
Marcus “Money” Sursa vs. TBD
Pat “Bam Bam” Heely vs. Anthony “TJ” Waldburger
Brian Humes vs. Lance Friedenstein
Lorenzo Borgomeo vs. Anselmo Martinez
Karin Darabedyan vs. TBD
Robert Clayton Hantz vs. Tony Castillo

On September 12^th, sports fans in Amarillo Texas, Eastern New Mexico, Southeastern Colorado, Southwestern Kansas, and Northern Oklahoma can tune into to ESPN 1440 for live coverage of Shark Fight 6. This historic mixed martial arts event has it all – incredible match ups, two exciting title fights, and a guest appearance by WEC Featherweight Champion, Mike Brown. For more information on Shark Fight 6 – Stars & Stripes please visit www.sharkfights.com.

About Shark Fight Promotions:

Shark Fight Promotions, based out of Amarillo Texas, is an up and coming Fight Promotion Company dedicated to driving the growth of mixed martial arts through the production of high quality MMA events and by effectively showcasing MMA fighters. The organization takes pride in putting the fans and fighters first; therefore they strive to make each Shark Fight event more exciting than the last. Executives within the organization are committed to producing impressive fight cards with extremely competitive matchups. They are also very passionate about their philanthropic endeavors. Shark Fight Promotions stays very involved in charity causes by partnering with, and contributing to, non-profit organizations in each city that hosts a Shark Fight Promotions event.